A Day Out In Blackpool – For Free!

20-05-2015

Blackpool is a renowned tourist destination and has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. One of Blackpool’s greatest attributes is that you can have a fantastic family day out for relatively cheap, if not for free! Here’s our guide to a grand day out in Blackpool for free! (well, almost).

The Comedy Carpet – One of Blackpool’s newest attractions has become an essential part of everyone’s visit to the town. Head down to the sea front (opposite Blackpool Tower) and pay homage to some of the nation’s great comedians, local heroes such as Charlie Cairoli to international stars like Monty Python. Over 160,000 granite letters are immortalised into concrete. The 2,200m artwork is an integral part of the famous promenades regeneration.

Stanley Park is very popular among locals, and though tourists don’t always stray this far inland, it’s well worth the visit. The huge park has a vast range of activities, from a newly designed BMX track to motorboats on its grand lake. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the summer months, the park puts on free gigs every Sunday at the bandstand that showcases local talents.

How could we have a list about Blackpool attractions without mentioning one of the UK’s most famous landmarks, Blackpool Tower. Many people don’t know that admission into Blackpool Tower is actually free and you can wander around areas such as the Ballroom (Regularly hosting the Strictly Come Dancing finals) and spend the afternoon watching dancing competitions.

Coronation World is another of Blackpool’s best kept secrets. Is there anything more Blackpool than Blackpool rock?! Well, now you can watch how it’s made from scratch at Coronation Rock’s factory. Kids will be fascinated discovering the art of getting the letters inside the sticks of rock and what’s more, this attraction is completely free and each visitor gets a lolly!

At the height of season, Blackpool really does come into its own. The promenade is bustling with tourists who are looking to experience the spectacular events; Blackpool’s Airshow takes place in early August and features a combination of vintage airplanes and state or the art fighter jets! The Red Arrows make an appearance every year and defy the laws of physics in their daring stunts! Blackpool’s World Fireworks Championship runs through September and features the best of the best in firework displays. And, of course, there is the illuminations, made up of one million light bulbs and stretching 10km. They offer free evening entertainment every night and a one of a kind spectacle.

This one’s not free but often overlooked, if you really want to see the whole of Blackpool (without going to the top of the tower), then take the Tram from Starr Gate to Fleetwood. You can see all of Blackpool’s coastline in under an hour including many of its landmarks. During the summer season, many vintage trams are used, which is a magical experience!

Don’t forget to also walk along another classic; Blackpool’s infamous Golden Mile. It has been around since the late 19th Century and has evolved greatly from small-time fairground operators to state-of-the-art amusement arcades. The bright lights attract huge crowds between North and South pier well into the night. This is the stuff of kids dream of, they are entertained for hours, for pennies!

A hidden gem, although it’s a little further out, is Glasform. It’s a fascinating experience that the whole family will enjoy. You can visit their workshop for free and watch the glassblowers at work using techniques hundreds of years old. There’s also a showroom which you can view their wonderful range of products.

Last but not least, we recommend visiting Penny Farm. Open all year round (Wednesdays, Weekends and Bank holidays), Penny Farm is home to more than 50 horses! Explore their farm for free via the ‘Dale’s Trails’ which include fun activities while you’ll learn all about the wildlife present at Penny Farm. They also have a coffee shop on site that includes a delicious afternoon tea with homemade scones and cakes.